On February 3, 2024, thousands of people gathered in Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh to participate in rallies against the constitutional changes brought about by the reading down of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. The call for a complete shutdown in the region was initiated by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), demanding special rights and the restoration of statehood for Ladakh. This article delves into the key demands, the significance of the protests, and the ongoing dialogue between the government and Ladakh representatives.
The Demands
LAB and KDA, influential groups leading the agitation, have put forward four primary demands. Firstly, they seek the restoration of statehood for Ladakh, downgraded to a Union Territory in 2019. Secondly, they demand tribal status for Ladakh, with inclusion in the constitution’s Sixth Schedule. Thirdly, the groups call for job reservations for locals, and finally, they seek parliamentary seats for Leh and Kargil districts.
- Demand for ‘Statehood’
On January 23, a proposal for the official status of ‘statehood’ was submitted to the Union Home Ministry, which emphasised the idea of a separate state and constituency for Ladakh to sort out the scorching socio-political and financial issues. The parties also presented a roadmap for amendment in the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. After the abrogation of 370, there have been tonnes of administrative reforms in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, but the Ladakh area has somehow been far from these positive changes.
- Blistering Unemployment
According to the Laddakh Hill Development Council Leh, the literacy rate in the district of Leh is 63.56 among females and 86.31 among males, but the recruitment opportunities are quite limited as per the population density. However, the Leh Autonomous Hill Development Subordinate Services Recruitment Board (LAHD-SSRB) has a mission to ‘provide employment services and assistance’, but due to blistering situations around the border, the unemployment rate has escalated! That’s one of the key reasons behind the demands for a separate public service commission.
- We need to safeguard tribal identity under the sixth schedule
The sixth schedule of the constitution provides special status to states like Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram to safeguard the ethnic tribal culture and protect indigenous values under special provisions under Articles 244(2) and 275(1) of the Indian Constitution. According to the travel-based website ‘Tribal Tours in India’, Ladakh is majorly populated by the Balti, Beda, Bot, Boto, Brokpa, Drokpa, Dard, Shin, Changpa, Garra, and Mon tribes, but they don’t have access to these constitutional safeguards to protect their vibrant authenticity and lifestyle from the gush of global markets and capitalist trends.
Protest Highlights
Reports indicate a successful implementation of the complete shutdown in both Leh and Kargil, with businesses and public transport significantly affected. The largest public congregation since 2019 gathered at Polo Ground in Leh, where demonstrators waved Indian flags, held placards, and chanted slogans demanding the restoration of democracy and Ladakh’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule.
Renowned figures, including Magsaysay Award winner Sonam Wangchuk, addressed the crowd, emphasising the unfulfilled promises made by the central government regarding Ladakh’s constitutional safeguards. Wangchuk expressed concerns about lobbies in the mining industry threatening Ladakh and reiterated the peaceful nature of their demands.
Simultaneously, Kargil witnessed a massive demonstration, with participants chanting slogans in favour of the Sixth Schedule and job reservations. The collective voice demanded justice and tribal status for Ladakh.
Political Developments
The LAB and KDA have engaged in talks with a committee formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to address Ladakh’s concerns. The HPC, initially constituted on January 2, 2023, underwent reconstitution on November 30, 2023, due to objections raised regarding its composition and agenda. The first meeting of the HPC took place on December 4, 2023. Subsequently, the MHA requested the LAB and KDA submit their agendas in writing, excluding certain points in the Sixth Schedule not relevant to Ladakh. Both bodies complied, submitting their agenda to the MHA on January 16, 2024.
However, no meeting was convened until social reformer Sonam Wangchuk and LAB called for ‘Leh Chalo’ on February 3, 2024, leading to a scheduled second round on February 19, 2024.
